Ready to learn a skilled trade and become a specialist in pipefitting? Our 4-year Engineering Trades Apprenticeship is your gateway to mastering this essential craft while gaining hands-on experience maintaining the Royal Navy's fleet.

About the programme

This is no ordinary apprenticeship. As a Pipefitter Apprentice, you’ll be at the forefront of building and maintaining the Royal Navy’s fleet.

As part of our busy team of Engineering Technicians, you'll contribute to the build, maintenance, and refit of UK Royal Navy and international naval vessels, including the Type 31 Frigate Programme and UK Submarine Dismantling Programme.

You will have the opportunity to work on a variety of projects such as new builds and upgrades to existing vessels, along with other commercial engineering projects.

Throughout the programme, you’ll gain specialist pipefitting skills. You’ll learn how to install, assemble, fabricate, maintain, and repair mechanical piping that carries fuel, chemicals, water, steam, and air in heating, cooling, lubricating, and various other process piping systems. You’ll develop a range of skills, including how to interpret engineering drawings and fabricate pipes, as well as pipe brazing. You can expect variety, working on ships, submarines, and in the workshop, as well as servicing systems within the dockyard.

The apprenticeship programme will equip you with valuable knowledge and practical skills in areas such as:

• Health and safety
• Planning and documentation
• Engineering mathematical and scientific principles
• Methods and techniques
• Structure, properties and characteristics of materials.
• Diagnostic methods to overcome problems
• Interpreting engineering drawings and data
• Adhering to and refining processes and procedures

In addition to technical expertise, the programme also focuses on developing key soft skills, including — but not limited to — clear communication, effective teamwork, problem-solving, attention to detail, and a commitment to ongoing personal development and reflective learning.

Future prospects

After successfully completing the programme, you will qualify as an Engineering Technician, specialising in pipefitting. Qualified technicians perform specialised work across a broad range of processes, procedures, and systems and continuously develop their technical skills and expertise.

You can expect to earn a competitive salary of over £36,000 upon completing the programme. Additionally, there may be opportunities to pursue higher-level qualifications, enabling you to advance your career within Babcock across a variety of roles and functions.

What you’ll need

• A minimum of 4 National 5s at grade C or above, including Maths, English, and a Science or Technical subject.
• A genuine interest in your chosen trade, along with a willingness to learn, ask questions, and collaborate.
• The ability to follow instructions and plan work with safety as a top priority.
• A team player who demonstrates respect and professionalism toward colleagues, customers, and supervisors.
• Many of our apprenticeship programmes are subject to Security Clearance and Trade Control restrictions which mean that your place of birth, nationality, citizenship, or residency you hold or have held may impact which programmes you are eligible for. For this programme, you must be able to achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and Security Check (SC) clearance. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

What you’ll get

We’ll provide you with a supportive and engaging environment where you can grow your career. In addition, you’ll benefit from:

• Fully funded qualification
• Personal development training and opportunities
• Minimum 28 days holiday allowance including bank holidays
• Competitive pension scheme
• Employee share scheme
• Flexible benefits including cycle to work scheme and employee shopping savings portal

You’ll also have the chance to get involved in our STEM outreach activities and volunteering opportunities, which our apprentices find incredibly rewarding.

Your career development

It’s hard to beat the variety of fantastic opportunities and business experiences you’ll receive. You can expect real world encounters and exposure to exciting projects that will really help you navigate where you want to take your career.

Plus, when you join us, you’ll be automatically enrolled onto our Apprentice Development Programme. Through a series of digital and face to face sessions, presented by wellbeing and performance experts and our external partners, we will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to thrive and perform at your very best on your programme and beyond.